A teacher in Austin, TX reprimanded a student for demonstrating Linux to his classmates and distributing free Linux CDs. She then goes on to contact Ken Starks of the HeliOS Project, who provided the CDs, and claim that "putting Linux on these machines is holding our kids back" and "No software is free and spreading that misconception is harmful". Although she claims to have used Linux herself in college, she feels that "putting on a carnival show for an operating system is not helping these children at all". On the HeliOS blog, Ken Starks hints that this may be more than just ignorance of the teacher's part.

Absolutely, I don't think that is a negative attribute at all as any new knowledge costs time if not time and money. I only mention that the cost is time volunteered for learning the technology or unlearning the Windows way of doing everything.

It also shouldn't be seen as defending this de-educator as I hope the meeting with Helios, superior and subordinate goes very embarrassingly for that third listed attendee. There is nothing more dangerous in education than a close mind in a position of authority.